COMMUNITY SERVICEPic (Back left to right) David Coletta and Cameron Mehrabanpour - of Argyll Pictures & Framing - with Sonam Batra project manager of the Coventry Business Charter.
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Two Coventry men who swapped lucrative careers in engineering to run a picture framing company have been commended for their work in the community. Multi-talented Cameron Mehrabanpour and David Coletta, aged 25, quit their jobs as skilled engineers to buy Argyll Pictures, based in Argyll Street, Stoke, and set about breathing life into the company. Cameron, a former civil engineer and underwater photographer, said the pair are aiming to bring the arts back into the limelight. He said: “David and I are finally living our dream. We both started our careers as engineers but have always had a passion for the arts. |
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“We leapt at the opportunity to own Argyll Pictures and now have a stock of 20,000 fine art prints, limited editions, canvas art and photography - which we can frame, mount and deliver directly to your door via our website. “As part of our commitment to the community we and 13 other artists set up Sea Swarm, a community arts forum, which encompasses all branches of the arts. “Sea Swarm helps up-and-coming artists to develop portfolios and get involved in all sorts of art related projects, such as gallery exhibitions and shows.” Since buying Argyll Pictures the men have been adhering to the Coventry Business Charter, a project which urges organisations across the city to look at their business from the point of view of a local citizen. The charter is the result of collaboration between the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the Coventry Partnership and it gives formal recognition for companies’ work in the community. Sonam Batra, project manager of the Coventry Business Charter, said the idea behind the scheme is to get businesses involved in the local community. He said: “We are aiming to encourage enterprises across the city to carry out activities that improve the lives of people working and living in Coventry. “To honour their hard work we have awarded David and Cameron with a Coventry Business Charter certificate. Cameron added: “David and I are delighted with our award as it gives us recognition for our hard work. “And we are very grateful to the Business Link service at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, who gave us a sizeable grant from their Mustard funding scheme to create our website.” More information on the company is available at www.argyllpictures.co.uk |
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School finds a friend on the web – by Stephen Hallmark
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A Coventry businessman is travelling to Vietnam to raise money for breast cancer patients throughout the region.
Doug Squires, a member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Mountain Bike Club, will cycle a distance of 700 kilometres over 12 days when he makes the trip to the Far East in November.
Doug, managing director of Squires Gear & Engineering Ltd, in Swan Lane, said: "My target is to raise £10,000 for Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital’s breast screening unit.
"They recently bought state-of-the-art ultra sound equipment costing £75,000 and are trying to raise another £15,000 to buy add on equipment.
The 60-year-old said he wanted to help the breast unit buy the new equipment because it would help detect tumours sooner.
He added: "The earlier you catch the disease the greater the patient’s chances of survival, which is why I want to help the unit get this life saving equipment.
"I am confident I can complete the cycle as I have done a lot of fundraising in the past for various local charities.
"In 1993 I raised £7,000, together with the Leofric Lions Club, when I ran the London marathon.
"And in 1999 I cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats in 59 hours and 59 minutes over eight days.
Doug, who is a member of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the Coventry Branch Committee, is well-known for his fundraising activities.
Annette Fitzgerald, head of policy at the Chamber, said: "Doug has done a lot of fundraising for Walsgrave Hospital, who we work closely with, and has in turn helped to raise the profile of the Chamber.
"He sets a great example to the younger generation as someone who has started a successful company and has in turn helped the local community."
To sponsor Doug contact him on 024 7623 1110.
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Warren Insulation Leads the Way
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Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire have been urged to back the city’s first Lady Godiva Half Marathon next month.
Over 1,200 athletes and fun runners have already signed up to take part in the 13.1 mile race on Sunday, September 25, which starts and ends in Little Park Street in the city centre.
The event has been initiated by Coventry Partnership to encourage more people to adopt a healthier lifestyle and raise money for three local charities, Coventry Mind, the Enterprise Club for Disabled People and the Tamarind Centre.
Helen Kelly, of Coventry City Council’s Sports Development Team, said runners, joggers or walkers can enter the half marathon, fun run, junior run, children’s run or corporate team challenge.
“We are delighted with the response to the first Lady Godiva Half Marathon and we are hoping by the time the date for entries closes on September 9 that we will top the 2,000 mark,” she said.
“It really is an event that has been designed for everyone because experienced runners or people who have done little exercise in the past can be involved.
“That is why we have split it into different categories to spur on as many people as possible to become involved and raise money for charity.
“We have chosen three official charities but people can also run in aid of their own adopted charity.”
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, which helps Coventry Partnership galvanise businesses to become involved in the local community, has been urging companies and organisations to enter teams.
Howard Andersen, a senior manager at the Chamber who runs for Coventry’s Northbrook AC, said firms needed to recruit at least six people to take part in the corporate team challenge.
“We are hoping businesses will match the amount of sponsorship that their employees raise to boost the funds of charities even further,” he said.
“This will be my fourth half marathon this year and I usually finish in around one hour 23 minutes.
“One of my children, Peter, who is ten, is taking part in the junior run and this is a really good way of getting all the family involved as well as promoting a more active lifestyle.”
The Heart of England Co-operative Society will hand out fair trade bananas to runners as they cross the finishing line and Coventry-based Monty’s Fine Lunches will supply packed lunches to all of the volunteers.
Picture from the left, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Howard Andersen jogs past Zoe Seville-Edden (Mercia MS Therapy Centre), Helen Kelly (Coventry City Council), Lokesh Patel (Heart of England Co-operative Society) and Simon Waterfall (Monty’s Fine Lunches) in preparation for the Lady Godiva Half Marathon
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- View other case studies at the Coventry Partnership website under 'what works' www.coventrypartnership.com/whatworks/index.asp?ww=1&page=107
- View our sample activities to get some ideas.